TSN Analysts present arguments for and against Power's decision to return to the NCAA

2021 1st-overall pick Owen Power made waves when he announced his intention to return to Michigan for one more season in the NCAA rather than jumping straight to the NHL like the vast majority of 1st-overall picks tend to do.

On Thursday, TSN's Dave Feschuk and Gord Miller presented their arguments for and against Power's decision, with Feschuk on the side of this move being an embarrassment to the Sabres organization and Miller taking a the side of why the move could be a beneficial one for both Power and the Sabres.

Feschuk, a born and bred Sabres fan, believes that Power electing to put off joining the NHL ranks this season, like every 1st-overall pick since Erik Johnson in 2006, says a lot about the current state of the franchise.

"I don't like this. If I'm the Sabres, I'm humiliated by this," said Feschuk on Thursday. "This does not speak well to the franchise health of my beloved franchise in Buffalo.

"I don't like the look of this for the Sabres, I don't like the look of this for Owen Power, to be honest," he concluded.

The Sabres have been one of the most consistently down-and-out franchises in the last 14 years, having missed the playoffs 12 times and getting bounced in the first round in back-to-back seasons in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

While it's easy to suggest that Power could absolutely help this team if he played right away, it's also fair to suggest that, with all that's gone on with the ongoing pandemic and the effect it has had on younger players, another year in the NCAA might go a long way in preparing Power for the next level and get him back up to speed. On top of that, another year in the NCAA pushes back Power's ELC by a year, allowing the Sabres to control the player through most of his prime years - a point which Miller seemed to lean on in his argument.

"The one thing I'd say is, if Power believes that he needs another year, it's not bad for Buffalo, because I think.. you control a guy for 7 years after he starts his NHL career. I'd rather have Owen Power from 19-26 than 18-25," Miller said, in support of the decision.

My personal opinion on the matter is that the benefits of Power going back for another year in Michigan outweigh the benefits of him playing in the NHL immediately. The Sabres have cleaned house and the roster, as it stands, is not going to provide Power with any real confidence boosters. We have seen it already with another top young defensive prospect in Rasmus Dahlin. I don't believe that, at 18, trying to be the guy who turns things around for a struggling franchise is the type of pressure a budding young star needs.

Not that these guys need to be coddled, but in a lot of ways, they do need to be sheltered and brought in the right way - especially defensemen. While some come in absolutely NHL-ready, the onus is on the teams to recognize when a young, top-end player is struggling at the NHL level and to provide the right types of support to that player to ensure a proper development arc. I don't think that the Sabres have the right supports in place to help bring Power back to Earth if he struggles - primarily, a seasoned, star-caliber veteran defenseman who has been in deep waters. Just my two cents.

No matter which side of the argument you find yourself on, Power has made the decision that he and his family feel is best for his career and his development overall. You at least have to respect the fact that the kid is trying to do right by himself.

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